Golden Knights Music Education Association

1946-1952

1946-1952

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"It all began rather modestly, shortly after World War II, when Father John Kiley started a parish drum corps. The big show in those days was the Our Lady of Fatima rallies in Newark School Stadium. The Blessed Sacrament Cadets wore purple then and had girls in their ranks. Soon, Marty Nolan became the director, later to be joined by co-director Vinnie Walsh. Eventually, the girls were dropped, and the colors were changed to black and gold.
In 1951 a young curate from Jersey City was assigned to the parish. His name was Rev. Robert F. Garner. He quickly transformed the Corps into a competing unit, something that many of its members had wanted for two years.
But if people began noticing in late'52..."

1950

This is a very rough old newspaper picture of Blessed Sacrament taken at the March 1950 St. Patrick's Parade in Newark New Jersey. The caption below the photo read "Fife and drum corps of the Blessed Sacrament adds color and music to parade as it moves down Broad St." Courtesy of Jerry Dalton.

Father Garner

1947 Color Guard

1947 Color Guard. The Blessed Sacrament Cadets would were co-ed until 1952, and again
in 1971-72. Photo courtesy of Sunny Cohen, from the late Al Cohen's archives.

1947 Drum Line

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March, 1947 Drum Line. Notice the glockenspiel, a popular element of the percussion line in that era.
Photo courtesy of Sunny Cohen, from the late Al Cohen's archives.

1947 Getting Ready for Memorial Day

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"Blessed Sacrament's Drum and Bugle Corps is beginning to take shape. A visitor to the weekly Friday night practices
would see approximately fifty boys and girts, mostly of grammar school age, getting ready for their first public appearance,
which they hope will be on Memorial Day. The above pictures do not show all of the members of the corps, nor do they show
the many boys and girls who are still trying out for places in the drum, bugle, twirling, and color guard sections."
Photo courtesy of Sunny Cohen, from the late Al Cohen's archives.

1950 St. Patrick's Day Parade

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This is a very rough old newspaper picture of Blessed Sacrament taken at the March, 1950 St. Patrick's Parade in Newark New Jersey. The caption below the photo read "Fife and drum corps of the Blessed Sacrament adds color and music to parade as it moves down Broad St." Courtesy of Jerry Dalton.

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The 1952 Blessed Sacrament Cadets -According to Al Cohen, the photo was taken in Garfield, NJ, following a parade. This copy was provided by John Krein, who received it from Al Cohen. Notice the uniforms: "tar bucket" shakos, and no bibs with the blouses. The bass drums do not say "Golden Knights," and, of course, there are no titles listed on the bass drum heads. Also, notice that the snare and tenor drums are different sizes. 1952 was the corps' first year of field competition. They would become National Champions just 26 months later - a feat that has never been duplicated.
According to the recollections of Al, John, and John's brother Joe Krein, the names are:
Bottom row, from left:
Bob Gleason, John Krein, Tom Chapman, Joe Krein, Ed Wyrwa, Joe Porta, Dan Walsh, George Hynson, ???Salvatore, Gene Gibbs, Joe Smith, John Murphy, DM Jack Stecher
American Flag row, from Left:
Jim (Deuce) McMahon, the head behind Chapman looks like Bob Yuknavage ("check the nose"), Gary Carlton, head behind Carlton is Marty Murphy or John Boyle, Bob Boyle, Phil O'Connell, Frank Dalton, Bill Samanek, Al Cohen, Bob O'Connell, Andy Prachar, Walt Smith (note the bass drum sling), Bill Sysyn, (next flag is Kyle Kresske according to Cohen), end flag is Red Huber
Next row, from left:
Bob Meyler, Tom Bambrick, Charlie Sodano, (maybe Eddie Pepick according to Cohen), John Seely, Dave Gornitsky, Dick Cooper, Jimmy Murray, Norm Jupa, Tom Sepe
Top Row, from left:
Ron Mullins, Jack Walker, John Leonhardt, Joe Buksar, Peter Farmer, Jack Karch, Joe Siefert, Bob Pepsin
Thanks to John, Joe, and Al for the memories!